Bruce Gertz

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, acoustic and electric bass player and composer Bruce Gertz began playing guitar at the age of ten. By age fourteen he changed to the bass guitar and started playing rock, blues and later jazz. While attending Berklee College of Music in Boston as a composition and arranging major, Bruce studied acoustic bass under John Neves and William Curtis. He began freelancing in the Boston area and soon built a reputation as a versatile player and soloist on both acoustic and electric bass. Gertz became associated with Bill Frisell, Mick Goodrick, Mike Stern, George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi, Joe Lovano, Billy Drewes, Jamie Haddad, Kenny Werner, Ted Lo, Theo Saunders, John Scofield and other top players in Boston through time

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, acoustic and electric bass player and composer Bruce Gertz began playing guitar at the age of ten. By age fourteen he changed to the bass guitar and started playing rock, blues and later jazz. While attending Berklee College of Music in Boston as a composition and arranging major, Bruce studied acoustic bass under John Neves and William Curtis. He began freelancing in the Boston area and soon built a reputation as a versatile player and soloist on both acoustic and electric bass. Gertz became associated with Bill Frisell, Mick Goodrick, Mike Stern, George Garzone, Jerry Bergonzi, Joe Lovano, Billy Drewes, Jamie Haddad, Kenny Werner, Ted Lo, Theo Saunders, John Scofield and other top players in Boston through time. Later Bruce studied more advanced jazz improvisation with Charlie Banacos and also through association with Jerry Bergonzi. Bruce has also toured with Billy Eckstine, Maynard Ferguson, Marlena Shaw, Gary Burton, Dave Brubeck, Jerry Bergonzi, Joey Calderazzo, Christian Jacob, Adam Nussbaum, Makoto Ozone and others. Performance Experience: Being an established performer in New England, Bruce has accompanied many well known, jazz artists: Gil Evans,Danilo Perez, Junior Cook, Dave Brubeck, Bob Berg, Mike Stern,Charles McPherson, George Cables, Diane Schurr, Bobby Tucker, Tom Harrell, Joe Lovano, Bill Frisell, Lee Konitz, Jon Hendricks, Cab Calloway, Joe Williams, Oliver Lake, Mark Murphy, George Coleman, John Abercrombie, Gary Burton, George Garzone, Tim Hagans, Kenny Werner, Billy Hart, Mick Goodrick, Pat Metheny, Ted Curson, Eddie Harris, Eric Kloss, The Fifth Dimension, The Coasters, Freddie Cole, Donald Byrd, Charlie Byrd, Joey Calderazzo,Cyrus Chestnut, Aaron Goldberg, Larry Goldings and Cecil Payne are some of these artists.

September 19, 2011

June 09, 2000

About BLUEPRINT:
This music is an association between viguor,(up tempos) and passion of
knowledge.It satisfies the spirit giving peace of mind
Jazz Magazine,France
A disc of indispensable fire...the bebop with vision of the future'
(Cd of the month)
Mateu Serra,Audio Mag,Spain
Just about every song features a solo by Bruce Gertz and the're all great.
His modal,post bop and swing derived harmonies and melodies prove he's
equally versed as a player and as a writer...give the disc a listen.it would
satisfy even the most discerning jazz palette,leaving you wanting a second
helping'
Mattewh Bowman,New England Performer

About THIRD EYE:
Once again the members of the Bruce Gertz quintet have revealed themselves
to be a master of the art of music
Charlie Banacos
( Master,Jazz teacher and Pianist )
Beatiful compositions..Great Playing..
Great Album...Killin!
Mike Stern
They say that those who can't do teach-but guess what:Bruce Gertz can teach
and do.In addition to his duties at Berklee College,he leads a first rate quintet
that plays some of the freshest,most cliche'-free jazz around.It's epecially
rewarding music for bassist to listen to because Gertz lays down powerful
walking lines on the acoustic and then switches to lyrical melodies (with
chordal accompainment) on the electric.in short,he's got all the basse
covered.
Jim Roberts ,Editor,
Bass Player Magazine ,
The Angular lines and beatiful singing sound of Gertz's bass is textually
intriguing,as
well as awesome
Tim Price
His support work pushes and pulls with just the right tensionat the other
lines under,over and around him.His solos are melodically compelling and
effortless
Stu Vandermark,Cadence
All of the numerous musicians that have worked with Bruce will tell you he's
a monster
Bob Blumenthal,Boston Globe
In my opinion and in the opinion of many other excellent musicians that i
know,Bruce is a great bass player and teacher.
Mike Stern